A Letter, in every respect so very polite and obliging as yours, ought not to be receivd without a grateful acknowlegement. I was honourd with your favour of the 15th. of October; but it did not come to my hands until more than a Month after that Date. I only waited to communicate the contents to the Gentlemen concernd; and then opend my Treaty with the Ministers. A few days were taken up in effecting this communication, as one of the Objects of the Exchange was then in the Country, and the other close prisoner in the Tower.

With regard to the Treaty, I was not so fortunate as in reason I ought to expect. All men are not of the description you mention; nor are they affected [by] the sentiments you express. The animosity against Genl. Beugoyne continues as strong as ever. Mr. Laurens is still in Prison. I hope however that the former will find a better rescource in the Magnanimity of a generous Enemy, than he has hitherto found in the Justice of those under whose direction he was brought into a Situation which obliges his friends to avail themselves of Virtues. As to the Latter I still flatter myself the publick will do for him or rather for itself, what Office has refused to do for either. This will be seen after the Holidays, when this Business will come regularly under discussion.

I feel more than I can express in giving you this unpleasant account after so long a cessation of our Intercourse. There was a day when I held high the honour and dignity of the Community I belong to. Indeed its authority, which I always connected with its Justice and its Benevolence was a subject of my warmest enthusiasms. I ever wished and not wished only, but struggled, that this Government in all Stages of this unfortunate Contest, and in all the variety of Policy which arises in it, should take the lead in every act of Generosity and benignity Without derogating from the regard due to the younger (not the inferior) Branch of our Nation, Wish that as the older we should furnish you with examples. But providence has not done its work by halves. You have Success; and you have added and may yet add more to what success is unable to bestow. I never had the smallest reason to be personally proud; Nationally I was high and haughty. But all the props of my pride are slipped from under me. I wishd to bestow, and I am left to supplicate.

The Reason alledged for refusing the Exchange proposed by Congress was, that Office apprehended genl. B. was already exchanged for a thousand and forty Soldiers. It was to no purpose, that I set before them the utter impossibliity of that fact. It had indeed been offerd; but Sir. H. Clinton knew nothing of the acceptance several Months after the Vote of the 14th of June when he was off the Chesapeak. The Cedres prisoners made a part of the offer; and they who had always included those prisoners whenever G.B. exchange was in agitation, because they knew they had always been refused, in account were Sensible they had taken effectual means to prevent such an Exchange. Congress had besides made a Vote of exchange in favour of Mr. Laurens; and they could never act in a manner so compleatly repugnant to their own honour, as well as so cruel and treachous to their late president, as to falsifye and annul their own Vote for his release authentically sent under publick faith to Europe. Another Topic was also touched, which I thought would have had some Effect. Col. Laurens had been employd to settle the Capitulation of York River. He was too considerable not to know the Vote of Congress concerning his father; and he was too pious a Son to be indifferent about it. If he could have imagined, that the Offer sent to you would have been rejected, was it to be believed, that he would not have put some difficulties in the way of others until an Exchange so interesting to him had taken place? It was all to no purpose. The Exchange was not accepted; and it was publickly declared that the Cedres prisoners ought always to be tenderd and insisted on.

I have troubled you with all this to let you see, that I have not been negligent of the Business with the Care of which you have been pleased to honour me; and of the high account I make of your Esteem and friendship. You do me justice in supposing it a proper return for receiving an act of Kindness, that I sollicit to give me an opportunity of being in some way instrumental in another of the Kind. A Commerce makes its return in the same Species is most acceptable to us bothe. Had G.B. never existed which as I love and respect him; I should have exerted every Nerve for Mr. Laurens. I have the honour to be with the most sincere Sentiments of regard and Esteem &c